Written By Michael DaSilva
THE inaugural Caribbean Inter-Club Football Tournament was launched yesterday at a simple ceremony at the National Communications Network (NCN) Studio, Homestretch Avenue.

The inaugural tournament, which will be contested by three local teams and one from Jamaica, will be played on November 29 and December 1, at the GCC ground, Bourda.
The three local teams are Alpha United, Sunburst Camptown and Buxton United, while the Jamaican team, according to the chairperson Stan Gouveia, is Boystown, a Premier League team.
The tournament which is the brainchild of Wally Fraser, chief executive officer of Vision Sports and Entertainment Agency will be held in collaboration with the Georgetown Football Association.
The sponsors on board are Caribbean Airlines, Banks DIH LTD, Star Party Rentals and NCN.
Fraser said he is looking forward to the tournament which will see the Jamaican team play two matches, one against Sunburst Camptown and the other versus Alpha United.
Fraser said no prize monies are at stake, since it will be a friendly tournament.
It is Fraser’s dream that the tournament will be a success and that it will blossom in time to come as he is hoping to get other Caribbean teams involved in the coming years.
According to Fraser, he has spoken to some friends in London who are eager to see what Guyana’s footballers have to offer.
Speaking on behalf of Banks DIH Ltd, the company’s Communications manager Troy Peters said his company assured its commitment to the development of football in Guyana “and we’re here to support Visions.”
He added that it is good for local teams to get exposure to international club teams “I know it’s starting small and I hope it develops into something big,” Peters stated.
Deon Inniss, Sales Executive of Caribbean Airlines expressed similar sentiments as Peters and congratulated Fraser for his brave initiative: “Caribbean Airlines is delighted to be associated with the tournament and is heartened to hear this is just the beginning,” Inniss remarked.
GFA treasurer Dexter Shultz said the tournament will give the three local teams the opportunity to see where they are technically and the GFA is pleased to be associated with the tournament.
Fraser also said that the tournament will not be about football alone, since several popular artistes, including Jamaicans, will be performing during the two days.